1st time marathoners?

October 26th is my first full marathon! Any others out there wish to discuss their strategies and or concerns?

Replies

  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    I've got my second one coming up early December followed by my first ultra. If you want suggestions on things *not* to do then I can right you a full long list.
  • kris727ta
    kris727ta Posts: 44 Member
    [/quote]

    I've read a lot of do and don'ts (ie, don't wear anything new, hydrate, etc.)... My last long run I cramped up. I still didn't stop but I was cramped from mile 16-20. Hope that doesn't happen race day. Somebody suggest a few teaspoons of pickle juice for cramping. Ever heard of that?
    ElliottTN wrote: »
    I've got my second one coming up early December followed by my first ultra. If you want suggestions on things *not* to do then I can right you a full long list.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Never heard of that and that sounds like unusual punishment.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Pickle juice is pretty popular right now.

    20087221031440.picklejuicesport_16oz.jpg

    I'm not a fan (I prefer Skratch Labs stuff), but I hate the taste of pickles...lol.
  • 5512bf
    5512bf Posts: 389 Member
    Get up super early, about 2 1/2 - 3 hour before your race and get your body temperature up with a easy 4-5 minute jog. Some call it a shake out run. It basically gets your blood flowing and your bowels primed so to speak. Eat a light breakfast, I like a bagel with cream cheese and a protein shake, carbs are good for you at this point. Do some stretching, read the paper, relax for a bit and make sure you get to the event early enough to get a parking spot and go through your warmup routine. Always start slow and avoid getting caught up in passing people, you'll burn way to much energy. If it's a big group it will take 3-4 miles to spread out, by then you should be warm enough to get into your pace and have a good race.
  • kris727ta
    kris727ta Posts: 44 Member
    5512bf wrote: »
    Get up super early, about 2 1/2 - 3 hour before your race and get your body temperature up with a easy 4-5 minute jog. Some call it a shake out run. It basically gets your blood flowing and your bowels primed so to speak. Eat a light breakfast, I like a bagel with cream cheese and a protein shake, carbs are good for you at this point. Do some stretching, read the paper, relax for a bit and make sure you get to the event early enough to get a parking spot and go through your warmup routine. Always start slow and avoid getting caught up in passing people, you'll burn way to much energy. If it's a big group it will take 3-4 miles to spread out, by then you should be warm enough to get into your pace and have a good race.

    This is what I usually do. Not planning on going too fast. I think the training went well. Just know its going to be tough no matter how you look at it! Not sure I am going to try pickle juice even if it's only a couple tablespoons! I have had luck on long runs with HUMA strawberry chia gels, Chia (apple/cinnamon) Warrior bars and water. Ocassionally a sip of gatoraid. At the end of a bad long run when there is some cramping my legs feel better if I elevate them while laying down. Usually am fine after an hour. I just worried about the last miles of the race and the discomfort after the race!!!
  • kris727ta
    kris727ta Posts: 44 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Pickle juice is pretty popular right now.

    20087221031440.picklejuicesport_16oz.jpg

    I'm not a fan (I prefer Skratch Labs stuff), but I hate the taste of pickles...lol.

    OMG! I can't imagine drinking this! I wonder if it helps???
  • Maleficent0241
    Maleficent0241 Posts: 386 Member
    kris727ta wrote: »

    I've read a lot of do and don'ts (ie, don't wear anything new, hydrate, etc.)... My last long run I cramped up. I still didn't stop but I was cramped from mile 16-20. Hope that doesn't happen race day. Somebody suggest a few teaspoons of pickle juice for cramping. Ever heard of that?
    ElliottTN wrote: »
    I've got my second one coming up early December followed by my first ultra. If you want suggestions on things *not* to do then I can right you a full long list.

    Cramping is usually due to muscle fatigue and not electrolytes. While the latter can certainly cause it, the former is far more common. What is your weekly mileage and how many 20 millers have you done? Was that your first?
  • kris727ta
    kris727ta Posts: 44 Member
    kris727ta wrote: »

    I've read a lot of do and don'ts (ie, don't wear anything new, hydrate, etc.)... My last long run I cramped up. I still didn't stop but I was cramped from mile 16-20. Hope that doesn't happen race day. Somebody suggest a few teaspoons of pickle juice for cramping. Ever heard of that?
    ElliottTN wrote: »
    I've got my second one coming up early December followed by my first ultra. If you want suggestions on things *not* to do then I can right you a full long list.

    Cramping is usually due to muscle fatigue and not electrolytes. While the latter can certainly cause it, the former is far more common. What is your weekly mileage and how many 20 millers have you done? Was that your first?

    That was my one and only 20 mile run. the last long run before tapering. I did 18 the week before and the week before that and felt great! I used the training plan from marathonrookie.com which worked for me when I trained for half marathons. I am really going to take it easy during the taper, eat well, hydrate, etc. I also have got some massages too!
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    This would have been an excellent question to ask about 3-4 months ago, but since you're just now asking...

    Don't start out too fast. You want to be burning fat for as long as you can. If you go all-out, you will be burning your glycogen stores up, and will not be able to switch back to fat and you'll hit the wall.

    Don't experiment with anything new on race day.

    Hay's in the barn at this point, so don't do anything crazy because you're stressed. Just have fun and trust in your training.

    Do have fun, and enjoy the expo and all the surrounding experiences.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    5512bf wrote: »
    Get up super early, about 2 1/2 - 3 hour before your race and get your body temperature up with a easy 4-5 minute jog. Some call it a shake out run. It basically gets your blood flowing and your bowels primed so to speak. Eat a light breakfast, I like a bagel with cream cheese and a protein shake, carbs are good for you at this point. Do some stretching, read the paper, relax for a bit and make sure you get to the event early enough to get a parking spot and go through your warmup routine. Always start slow and avoid getting caught up in passing people, you'll burn way to much energy. If it's a big group it will take 3-4 miles to spread out, by then you should be warm enough to get into your pace and have a good race.
    -
    - Don't drink a protein shake. This about the dumbest thing you can do, as your body needs carbs at this point, not a shot of slower-digesting protein. This is a good way to ensure a mid run sh**/vomit session.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    Park your car half way round in a subtle place. That way if you are bit tired you can skip some bits out.... I bet that's what they do at the Olympics....